Social-cognitive approaches to learning

Question 1

Socio-Cognitive Approach

Answer 1

When indi viduals process, remember and learn information in social contexts to explain and predict their beha viour and that of others.

Question 2

Observational Learning

Answer 2

Observational learning is a social-cognitive approach to learning that occurs when a learner observes a model’s actions and consequences to guide their future actions.
● Its an active type of learning
● It is a more active and efficient type of learning than operant conditioning
because it encompasses more complex cognitive processes and the learner doesn’t need to wait for the consequence.

Question 3

Steps Involved in Observational Learning:

Answer 3

1. attention
2. retention
3. reproduction
4. motivation
5. reinforcement

Question 4

Step 1: Attention:
The learner must actively watch the models beha viour and consequences

Answer 4

● They are attractive
● Someone they admire
● Respected
● They share similarities with the model
● They are famous
● Credible
● An authority figure ● High level of motivation

Question 5

Step 2: Retention

Answer 5

The learner must store a mental representation of the model’s beha our (retain in their long-term memory) for future use.
● The more meaningful the memory is, the more easily it is to recall later on.

Question 6

Step 3: Reproduction

Answer 6

The learner must have the physical and intellectual ability to convert these mental representations into actions

Question 7

Step 4: Motivation

Answer 7

The learner must have the desire to perform the model’s behavi our, or have the motivation to do so.

Question 8

Step 5: Reinforcement

Answer 8

● The reinforcement on offer will influence the learner’s desire and likelihood to reproduce the beha viour in the future.
● The expectation of reinforcement or punishment influences cognitive processes of the learner
Vicarious Punishment/Reinforcement
● Vicarious Reinforcement – ewing a model being reinforced can strengthen beha our in an observer.
● Vicarious Punishment – ewing a model being punished can weaken a beha our in an observer